Tuesday 14 November 2017

2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs - Referee appointments

Thank to our source Árbitro Internacional we have the officials appointments for 2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs, to be played on November. 


CONCACAF - AFC 

Italian Daniele Orsato has been assigned to first leg, while Néstor Pitana from Argentina will officiate the second leg in Australia. 

10.11.17 23:00 CET
Honduras - Australia
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Lorenzo Manganelli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Riccardo Di Fiore (ITA)
Fourth Official: Paolo Tagliavento (ITA)

15.11.17 10:00 CET
Australia - Honduras
Referee: Néstor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernán Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)
Fourth Official: Patricio Loustau (ARG)


OFC - CONMEBOL 

Mark Geiger from the USA and French Elite UEFA referee Clément Turpin have been appointed to handle the clashes involving New Zealand and Peru. 

11.11.17 04:15 CET
New Zealand - Peru
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Joe Fletcher (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Frank Anderson (USA)
Fourth Official: Jair Marrufo (USA)

16.11.17 03:15 CET
Peru - New Zealand
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
Fourth Official: Benoît Bastien (FRA)

119 comments:

  1. So, differently from November 2013, we have referees from other confederations (CONCACAF and CONMEBOL), not only UEFA ones. That's good. I must congratulate some readers of the blog, because the names of Geiger and Pitana have been guessed, or at least mentioned. Very good also for Orsato and Turpin, of course, but here my idea is that FIFA has kept the "big guns" for UEFA play offs :) In 2013 two out of the four referees called for these matches attended the WC, while the other ones were not selected, at least not as main referees. I think this time it can be the same, as I expect surely Geiger ad Pitana in Russia, while Turpin and Orsato should be "only" VAR but not main referees. Let's wait for UEFA choices.

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    1. Predictions for UEFA playoffs can intensify now... Let's start :)

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    2. I think I stick with my original predictions:

      Croatia - Greece: Atkinson (ENG) / Kuipers (NED)
      Denmark - Republic of Ireland: Marciniak (POL) / Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
      Sweden - Italy: Kassai (HUN) / Cakir (TUR)
      Northern Ireland : Switzerland: Skomina (SVN) / Karasev (RUS)

      That would leave Brych without a playoff, but he doesn't need one and he's going to the CWC.

      You'd then have Eriksson, Hategan, Mazic and Rocchi as the top referees without playoff spots. That would be bad news for Eriksson, Hategan and maybe Mazic... but I think Rocchi is quite safe, even without a playoff assignment. He can sit at home and watch the Italy-Sweden matches!

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    3. On a separate issue, we have to assume that Kassai was still under consideration for WC14 when he had the playoff in 2013. I wonder if, despite what many think here, Turpin has a real chance of making Russia as a referee?

      Orsato is a more perplexing case. He's certainly behind Rocchi, so his appointment is more difficult to rationalize.

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    4. I love your predictions but I can't see Atkinson having a playoff match... So I'll swap Atkinson with Mazic there, not in that game but Mazic will be among my 8 names over Atkinson... And possibly Eriksson over Kassai? 🤔

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  2. Note that Morgante has been dropped for Frank Anderson in Geiger's crew. There were some rumors going around in the US that FIFA was not pleased with Morgante at Confederations Cup, and the U17 WC was a trial run for either Anderson or Rockwell to take his place. Looks like the rumors were true.

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    1. But what was so wrong with Morgante?? 🤔

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    2. No idea. Geiger likes Morgante a lot, too. They have known each other a long time and he is the one who picked Morgante to replace Hurd (rather, he pushed for it). So removing Morgante is a blow to Geiger. I wonder if anyone here has any more information on the issue.

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  3. My 8 names for UEFA playoffs are the following: Brych, Cakir, Mazic, Rocchi, Mateu Lahoz, Skomina, Marciniak and Kuipers. They should be, in my opinion, the 8 main referees from UEFA in Russia.
    This would leave out Kassai and Eriksson, maybe they will have a chance as FO / VAR...

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  4. Very good appointment for Orsato !!!! since he is behind Rocchi, probably he will be appointed only as VAR at next WC. In this role he got a lot of good experience especially at last WC U20 in Korea. So good to see him in the middle for a play off.
    Honestly I cannot understand how Geiger could be so overrated after the huge mistake in the SF match at last CONCACAF GOLD CUP. I was supposed that after that terrible performance his carrier was compromised, while he is still at top level and highly considered. Maybe not deserved.
    Good appointment for Turpin too. I think that even for him there will not be a place as main referee at WC Russia, so play off is a very good achievement.
    From appointment, we should say that at FIFA level Uefa and COMNEBOL are the main confederation taken in account; FIFA don't trust so much on referees from AFC and CAF; the only exception is Geiger but again I'm very surprised that he is ahead Aguilar. political ?

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    1. Aguilar, as a Middle-American Spanish speaking ref would not be possible for a Peru match. Same counts for Garcia, Ramos. An American would be the only serious option and I guess Geiger is the best option.

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    2. I'm sorry, but you guys who only see a game here and there are mistaken in your assessment of Aguilar. He is a weak referee. I've watched him for a decade now. He has shown improvement and can manage CONCACAF games better than almost all other Central American or Caribbean referees now, but he is still prone to huge deficiencies. He will NOT make the big calls. And he is consistently influenced by pressure.

      There was a WCQ last cycle in Mexico against Panama where he put his whistle to his mouth to end the second half (stoppage time was over), only to realize the home team had a counter-attack opportunity, so he allowed the play to continue (Mexico could have benefited substantially from an additional goal at the time). Go to 1:36:36 of this video and watch until the conclusion of the match--you'll see what I mean:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e61A0JMK2w


      That's just one memorable example, but time and time again I've seen him be weak under pressure.

      Geiger had one controversial game in the Gold Cup semi. And many feel he missed an SFP in the Nigeria-France WC match. Those are pretty much his only international blemishes. How many UEFA Elite referees have had a missed SFP and a bad game, yet there aren't calls for their careers to be over here? It's a weird standard.

      And it's a particularly weird standard when people prop up Aguilar. Because I promise you that Aguilar is not the referee you think he is. He can handle the big Mexico v USA matches well ONLY because both teams have become accustomed to him. Just wait for the moment he's truly tested in a WC. You'll see what I mean.

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    3. You are right on that, of course. As a European, I've seen Aguilar twice: during his matches at WC2014. In that matches I liked him a lot, but of course 2 matches are not the best way to judge a referee.
      The same counts for Geiger: saw him 3 times and two times he didn't convince me. It's easy to judge by that. But of course, Geiger is a good referee.

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    4. I've seen Geiger more than is necessary to also come to the conclusion that he most certainly is overrated. He definitely is no Esse Baharmast or Brian Hall. Sure, he may be the "best" the U.S. currently has. But looking at the current crop, that ain't no badge of honor. Being considered the best U.S. referee is like having the honor of being the tallest little person.
      That scared look, like the one he had in that forgettable Panama vs Mexico match. Has become a facial expression that I've seen all too often from him because he simply can't steer clear of controversy. No matter if the match is MLS, CONCACAF, or FIFA.

      But then again, my standards for referees may be a bit high. Having people like Arturo Brizio Carter, Felipe Ramos Rizo, Benito Armando Archundia, and Marco Rodriguez to look up to and to learn from. It certainly sets that bar mighty high. They're simply the best in CONCACAF.

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    5. I completely disagree.
      About Mark’s gold cup match:
      The red for the arm to the head:
      The player jumped from distance with the arm extended, swinging it back into the head of his opponent. In my opinion that decision was correct.
      Penalty #1:
      From where Geiger is, it was absolutely handling. Again, with the awkward circumstances, it is hard to tell if it is deliberate. But at the end of the day Gieger got this one wrong when he was doing everything right.
      Penalty #2:
      Easy penalty. Correct decision.
      He got one match critical decision wrong out of three. That happens all the time to all referees! He did very well under the extremely intense pressure of that match. Gieger is one of the best in the world. In my opinion he is absolutely not overrated, but actually more of the opposite.
      That “scared look” you talk about is a look of disdain, not fear. And please try working a game exactly like that and not be scared. Geiger stayed calm the entire time and did not seem scared in my opinion.
      I have never heard any of those names. That says something. I’m not saying they aren’t good, because I don’t know, but I have never heard of any of them.

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    6. Somebody calling Marco Rodriguez better than Mark Geiger baffles me... Seems a bit of a joke to me to be honest!!

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    7. You say Geiger can't steer clear of controversy in FIFA matches, but...

      What controversy did he have at Confed Cup 2017?
      What controversy did he have at WC 14 (other than the potential SFP?)
      What controversy did he have at U20 WC 2011?
      And what controversy has he had at the CWC?

      It seems like, over several FIFA appointments, the only notable potential missed KMI was the SFP in France-Nigeria. That seems like a pretty impressive record.

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  5. Like probably happened on intercontinental play off with Turpin and Orsato, I would like to see for Uefa play off the names we think will not be selected for Russia WC. That will be a recognition for some of them and will not put at risk big names already sure to go in Russia in case of controversy.
    So hoping to see in Russia Mateu, Kuipers, Brych,Rocchi,Kassai, Skomina, Cakir, Mazic and Marciniak, my selection would come for Hategan, Eriksson, Atkinson, Undiano Mallenco, Karesev, Collum, Kralovec and Aytekin

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    1. Impossible to see Undiano Mallenco and Aytekin, as they were not among the preselected officials...

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    2. My prediction for WC 2018 if FIFA repeats the formula of 9+1 for UEFA referees (plus other prospects as VARs): Rocchi, Eriksson, Mateu, Çakir, Kuipers, Mazic, Skomina, Karasev, Brych, + Marciniak as support referee.

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  6. OT : It’s confirmed from fff tant Abed and Brisard will be new fifa refs from France. They will replace Gautier and Chapron (because of ages and also good to note that both experienced refs agreed to let their fifa badge to income talented young french Refs).

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    1. Important to note that very experienced AR Frédéric Cano (current member of Buquet team) will leave fifa list too with Eric Danizan. Mehdi Rahmouni and Benjamin Pagès will be add instead.

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    2. I'm more convinced by Brisard than Abed . And you?

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  7. Have your say...
    https://streamable.com/wji5r

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    1. The mystery in San Pedro Sula.
      Offsides? Orsato pointed, but never raised his arm.
      Goal kick? Orsato did point toward the goal box. But restart was taken outside the goal box.
      Penalty? I too think that AR1 did indeed flag for a PK. However after the talk that was had. Orsato and Co chose to take the easy way out and invented an offside.

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    2. As the goalkeeper's intervention had no impact on the shot, it could have been whistled only in case of foul being reckless or SFP. Those are the instructions nowadays - no penalty for careless foul that has been committed after the ball was played.

      However, we can discuss about the nature of the foul - still careless or reckless?

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    3. So what was the call?
      And why does Orsato make a visual gesture pointing to his forearm?

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    4. @RayHD

      About what "instructions" are you talking about ? For me it's clear penalty. I consider this as a bigger mistake comparing with Hategan's penalty in Northern Ireland- Switzerland. Why ? Hategan made a mistake because he didn't see, Orsato saw very well what happened ...

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  8. We are at halftime in Honduras. 44:56 played in the 1st half. Yes, Orsato whistled the end of the half early. He looked visibly drained as he blew for half. The weather and the condition of the pitch is taking it's toll on him.

    2 cautions for Honduras and 1 caution for Australia. All correct and can be supported. However his line in regards to cautions has been quite erratic. Similar plays, one results in a caution, in a simple foul, and yet in another a foul is not even whistled.

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  9. Just rewatched the situation in the 21st minute. There is no offside at all. As the Aussie player is kept onsides by a Honduran player on far side of pitch. That Aussie player is then bundled into by the Honduran keeper who has come off his line to challenge the Aussie player who has gone up to head the ball with his back to the goal. The Honduran keeper clearly makes forceful contact with his forearm into the back/neck of the Aussie player after the Aussie player heads the ball towards the goal.

    AR1 lifts his flag to signal something. A "something" that nobody knew exactly what it was. Orsato is then forced to go over and have a talk with AR1. Solely based on both referees body language. I have a strong feeling that. AR1 had indeed flagged for a PK. However after chatting with Orsato, they simply took the rest way out and flagged an offside that never existed.

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  10. The second half is underway in Honduras. Two cautions for Australia in the first 3 minutes of play. Both correct and fully supportable. Seems like Orsato is going to try and tighten his grip on the match. Intelligent choice by the Italian.

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  11. 76th minute. Clean, 100% ball winning challenge/tackle by Honduran player. Orsato however sees a foul. Honduran player upset by the call them kicks the ball in anger up and out of the field of play. Orsato simply stands (not even a verbal warning) there and allows this blatant display of "delaying a restart".

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  12. 88th minute. Attacking free kick in favor of Honduras. Orsato sets the wall, paints his line, and moves into position. The Honduran player takes the free kick prior to Orsato blowing his whistle. His whistle actually sounds as the ball is already in play and in the air. Once again the player's, those in the stadium, the commentary people, and is at home are left confused.

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    1. I have the understanding that if a "ceremonial" free kick is done. Then the kicking player "must" wait for the referee to blue his whistle before taking the kick. If the players kicks before the whistle, then it's considered "delaying a restart" and the offending player must be cautioned.

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  13. Full time in Honduras. Orsato visibly upset at the Honduran players choice to no shake his hand and be "buddy buddy" with him.
    I get the feeling that Orsato and Co will never want anything to do with San Pedro Sula. He made it out unscathed in a match that left a lot to be desired football wise. Erratic 1st half in regards to foul recognition and card use. Much better 2nd half with a clearer line on foul recognition and card use.

    Pitana has a big match on his hands on the return leg. But he is the man for the job.

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    1. like you I was worried about his appointment. Retiring from injury and his laid back style were always going to make this a difficult challenge. He is top referee but I believe this was the wrong assignment for him. I believe they awarded goal kick at 21" incident and in the confusion allowed the illegal restart. We can be happy there was no game changing mistakes. In these matches that is what is most important.

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    2. I said it before and I'll say it again. FIFA got the attend assignments backwards. Nestor Pitana was the man who should have been the man in the middle in San Pedro Sula.

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  14. Penalty in Algeria - Nigeria...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx7w-_Q_mvQ

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    1. Oh my God, attacker was angry because he thought that referee had whistled a foul against him :)
      Impossible to expect a penalty there.
      What a mistake by Otogo-Castane...

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    2. After a good AFCON 2015, Otogo-Castane couldn't really make a good development after that. Incredible decision...

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    3. http://refereeingworld.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/caf-reacts-to-referee-otogo-castane.html?m=1

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  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQlBf_dvQ4
    5:45 incident off the ball, I think correct decision by Geiger, YC is OK, not a violent conduct or something like that, it seems as his game was expected level...

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    1. Good performance in a competitive but fair match. Looked confident with strong body language. As usual some positional problems but an expected level performance.

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    2. Opinion/Comment on incident between Peru's Yotun and New Zealand's Reid in the 24th minute?

      I know what I saw. I know what I would would have done. And I know what color card I would have given.

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    3. Maybe I'm missing something here, but that seems like a very soft YC. The NZ player puts an arm out and probably pushes the opponent, but the Peru player goes down holding his chest like he's been stabbed!

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    4. "Soft" is an understatement to describe that caution. I too am image to see anything punishable in the incident. It seems as if Geiger "bought" into the overly dramatic fall by the Peruvian player.

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    5. Thank you for the video Sheriff. The more I watch it. The more I am certain that Geiger under-punished a case of Violent Conduct by the Peruvian player Yotun.

      If it was a Red Card for Alex Song at the Brasil World Cup in 2014 by Proença. Why is it now only a Caution by Geiger 3 years later?

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  16. Did anybody watch Geiger last night? He seems to have had a calm match; no reports of any polemics in the media.
    Against this background of a 0-0 draw though a HUGE match for Turpin in Lima, he seems to be in good form at the moment, good luck to the French team!

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  17. 24-25 minute.
    Possible violent conduct very near to AR2 which was seen yet ultimately underpunished by Geiger. Peruvian player Yotun elbows New Zealand player Reid in the upper back in a manner that any MMA fighter would be proud of long after the ball was played away by the Kiwi player. Geiger aware of the incident allowed pay to continue and then chose to only caution the Peruvian player after play had stopped.

    If we go back a few years to the Brasil 2014 World Cup. Cameroon's Alex Song was correctly sent off by Portugal's Pedro Proença for violent conduct after striking Mario Mandžukić in a very similar way as Yotun's elbow to Reid.

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    1. The intensity of the hit is impossible to detect for sure, looking only at the gesture it could be indeed violent conduct, but in doubt I think referee should be backed.
      AR had surely a better view on the incident but he couldn't help the referee.
      Good that Geiger waited, giving a sort of advantage, before issuing YC, since it wasn't a RC (in his opinion, of course), this was the best management.

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    2. "Intensity"
      Now you're moving the conversation into a dangerous realm. Into a realm where we can say, "oh he didn't punch him that hard" or "oh he didn't stomp on the player that viciously". I'd would like to see or read where in the Law book it says that there is such a thing as violent conduct "soft". Because from what I've been instructed. Violent Conduct is judged by funky simply committing the act rehashed regardless of the intensity or force of the action.

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    3. I have been taught the same, but at least at top level, we can observe that the intensity is considered to judge whether it is a VC.
      And actually the Laws say "excessive force or brutality", which supports that the intensity plays a role.

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  18. Who was observer for Geiger?

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    1. I'm sorry I think we will never know that...

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    2. Orsato, Assessor: Bo Karlsson (SWE)
      Geiger, Assessor: Alfredo Trentalange (ITA)
      Pitana, Assessor: Mehmet Ilgaz (TUR)
      Turpin, Assessor: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

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    3. WOW, thank you Joaquin Jordan :)

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  19. I have a few questions for my fellow experts on the blog.

    Was it a "footballing" act?

    What was Yotun's ultimate goal in committing such an act?

    Why was this a RED CARD in 2014 but now accepted as a simple CAUTION three years later? What changed?

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    1. Why are you so hysterical and dramatic about things when you believe a poor call was made?

      First, there appears to be a lot less force in the Peruvian situation than in the Cameroonian one. That said, yeah, it still should be VC if seen correctly.

      But that's the second point. Anderson's focus clearly moves to the offside line once possession is controlled by the other New Zealand attacker, so he doesn't see it. And Geiger appears to only notice something happened out of the corner of his eye. So, he acted on instinct and went with yellow.

      You jump to this absurd conclusion where "EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED IN THREE YEARS AND NOW IT IS NOT A RED CARD LIKE IT SHOULD BE AND REFEREES TODAY ARE TERRIBLE!!!" Get over yourself. You never missed VC in your day?

      Sometimes referees don't see things clearly when they are off-the-ball, possession has changed, and a dangerous attack is developing. I'm pretty confident that is what happened here, rather what you are suggesting.

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    2. So, what you're saying is that Geiger guessed?
      Hategan "guessed" also and we all know the outcome of that.

      But I'm not surprised at Geiger under-punishing incidents. After all he allowed Matuidi to stay on the pitch after he absolutely demolished Onazi's ankle. Adf to this the fact that this is the "style" that Peter Walton had imposed on PRO Referees. Thus the reason why the disciplinary commission was so busy righting the wrongs of the referees and retroactively punishing players after weekend play week after week.

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    3. What Walton and PRO push and why the disciplinary committee in MLS is active (and the independent review panel has undermined both referees and the disciplinary committee on several occasions) is an entirely different matter.

      In this situation, yes, I personally think that Geiger made a guess. He knew SOMETHING happened but didn't see the incident clearly. He knew there was misconduct and went with yellow, in the hopes of adequately punishing the Peruvian and keeping things under control. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Geiger saw the incident clearly and chose yellow. That would be unfortunate. But I just don't think that's what occurred.

      And comparing a Geiger guess on this play to a Hategan guess on the penalty is a bit of a stretch. Because with Hategan, the guess is about the point of contact on the handling and goes to the heart of whether or not there should be a penalty at all. With Geiger, he was sure something happened and just couldn't fully see the severity, so he went with the lighter punishment. He still observed a foul and misconduct, both of which occurred.

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    4. I agree with usaref... What's with so much of hysterics whenever you report an error?? Would you do the same if it's your beloved "Mexican" referees Cesar Ramos or Garcia Orozco in a similar situation?? Be objective and discuss the errors but kindly avoid such dramatic expressions as if some lives have been lost... Always criticising "referees of today" so hysterically won't get you anything!!

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    5. Fully agreed, always Mr Vasquez and Castrilli see exactly the performances they want to see, from either a Mexican or another referees.
      I don't think they really add a lot to a great blog- at least in my opinion.

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    6. And USARef describes the situation perfectly also, thank you for some actual analysis on the decision, rather than some popularistic 'insight'.

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    7. Youtun has done similar things earlier, when he played for Malmö FF in the Swedish highest league earlier this year he should have been sent of for an elbow to the chest of an opponent while the ball was out of play, the incident occurred right in front of the assistant referee(1-3 meters) but he got away with it. I think that he thinks that he can get away with it and is going to continue to use his elbows until he one day gets a red card. And he often can get away with it in front of high level referees(this time Gieger and ealier this year Eriksson with AR Wärnmark)

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    8. I would most definitely react in the same manner if it was a Mexican, Tongan, Botswanan, or Indian referee.

      I'll give you all the ultimate example.
      "The Bite"
      Brasil 2014
      Uruguay vs Italy
      Suarez vs Chiellini
      Referee: Marco Rodriguez
      AR1: Jose Luis Camargo

      And my reaction to that incident? The same to Geiger's under-punished VC by Peruvian Yotun.

      Thank you "referee" for your added insight into Mr. Yotun's tendencies on the pitch. It would seem to me that as a referee you would do your pre-match homework and do some research. And know what to be I the look out for because of tendencies by certain players.

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    9. Opinions. Yes or No

      With VAR in this match. Does Yotun get sent off?

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    10. @Nando It wasn't possible for Marco Rodriguez to spot the bite... It was an off the ball incident and Marco was looking elsewhere!!

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  20. Another crucial qualifier in the CAF Zone, Ivory Coast - Morroco, and another match for Bakary Papa Gassama.
    To be honest it wasn't a really impressive performance but no total disaster. The first minutes weren't convincing, a curious foul detection, a poor first YC, but not really big problems. I always remember Gassama being lenient to make a flowing match, but he was a lot more pedantic (nervous?) yesterday. He was strong on the pitch, but his verbal warnings were very excessive gestures and didn't exactly radiate calmness. Even early into the second half an irritated crowd threw objects towards the pitch, it was clear the game could totally explode but that didn't really happen. Gassama's prevention was pretty good, some small riots but not more; I got the impression though the players helped him with that- his personality rather than his technical performance I think saved him, he had a good empathic smiling (usual) relations with the actors.
    It would be harsh to say it was Mexico - New Zealand without the huge fight, but it wasn't too far off that. He was improved from the Confederations Cup, but far off the level of say Gabon - Morroco or especially Netherlands - Chile.

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    1. The match commentators over here were constantly saying. "Gassama, you wouldn't have to gesticulate so much and look so uncomfortable, if you simply is your cards". But this overly lenient and permissable attitude seems to be a CAF thing at the moment. The CAF seem to want to yell and scold the player's into submission. And it usually end up in a debate between players and Referee's. As the referees are willing to have long winded arguments with offending players.

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    2. Have to say, that when we come to the point that propable WC-refs are judged by 'not disatrous', we have a problem with CAF-refereeing.

      Gassama has convinced me once (NED-CHL) and never again afterwards, in the matches that I have seen.

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  21. I tried to watch the first half of Pitana, I missed most of the game, however it is a very similar match to first leg: many fouls, not so much football. Pitana looks to be in control, I missed to watch the first YC he issued, the other ones were OK. There were some situations in which he could have booked as well, however so far a really boring game. Both teams can't show a decent football.
    It is possible that the tie will be decided by a single event, Pitana will have to be very alert in second half. Extra time is a very concrete option at moment.
    I can also report a clear mistake by AR2, he flagged a wrong offside against Australia, player was not even on level but behind.

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  22. 71': penalty to Australia for deliberate handball, unluckily, as we already saw in these playoffs, it looks like a perception mistake.
    Arm was open, but the ball in my opinion touched the leg of the player. Again and again I ask: why no VAR there? this could have been a crucial decision, it is still crucial, however Australia had already scored... we can't go on in this way.

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    1. I suggest you review, because it was a clear penalty, the ball touches very clearly in the hand of the Honduran player.

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    2. I will rewatch it, I can be wrong :)

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    3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODMBNlGt6ew
      Watched and rewatched, to be honest I can't be still sure it was a touch by arm. It is possible that ball touched only the foot, I don't see a clear deflection when ball is close to arm. Maybe another replay is needed?

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    4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1O2MAFo6f0

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    5. https://twitter.com/JogaBonitoUSA/status/930746277003956224

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    6. Both hand and foot. Correct penalty

      https://pasteboard.co/GTKPzsR.png

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    7. Thanks, however I don't know why but I'm not still sure, at least I think it is a controversial situation, not a clear one. But that's just my opinion.

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    8. Lahoz, take note please. Handball is as clear as the two that Lahoz was simply unwilling to call.

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    9. Keep overthinking the clear handball situation or trying to dissect the incident to death. And you'll end up not calling anything at all.

      Delete
    10. And unlike the Lahoz conversation. Where words like supportable and "can be backed" were used by certain people to adamantly support Lahoz's decisions. Those words haven't been spoken by those same people in defense of Pitana's correct call.

      Delete
    11. Very (very) good Pitana; as UEFA shouldn't/won't get a third WC Final in a row, the Argentine and Irmatov have to be the top candidates, imo.
      They are very flexible and can take on the European approach that Busacca wants/demands, but also keeping their own styles.

      Delete
    12. Correct call for me. You can't compare this handball to the two claims of Sweden. All three are very different and I don't think people adamantly backed Lahoz, it's more a question of personal taste and satisfying criteria.

      Delete
  23. What an awkward penalty against Honduras. Defender tried to control a pass from his teammate onto his penalty area...and actually did it..with his hand. Correct decision by Pitana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, not a pass, in fact was a semi-failed clearance.

      Delete
  24. Now a very clear penalty (84'). Correct by Pitana. Australia at WC.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Another penalty to Australia. DOGSO, but a clear attempt from the defender to play the ball. Correct YC.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 16.11.17 03:15 CET
    Peru - New Zealand
    Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
    Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
    Assistant Referee 2: Cyril Gringore (FRA)
    Fourth Official: Benoît Bastien (FRA)

    FIFA Referee Assessor: Kyros Vassaras (GRE)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I’m not satisfied with Néstor Pitana today. He was very bad.

    1.) Min 02: RC #AUS6
    2.) Min 04: PK and YC #AUS16
    3.) Min 71: PK and YC #HON6
    4.) Min 78: RC #HON17
    5.) Min 84: PK and RC #HON23
    6.) Min 90+4: Offside Goal #HON17

    ReplyDelete
  28. 1. Yellow is good for me, particularly at that time in this match.
    2. Yes there is holding, penalty though? Come on. No way.
    3. Correct call
    4. Never. You could maybe show a yellow for management but no violent conduct here.
    5. Correct call. As stated previously- clear challenge for ball
    6. This is offside. Good spot. Seems that AR2 finished early. Ball in play for five seconds and he does not move one step!! Very poor.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Peru - New Zealand
    Clement TURPIN, Danos, Gringore, Bastien, (Obs. Vassaras)

    National anthems sung with a certain passion, could be hard evening for the French team, good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Despite the pressure, Peru started the match very freely- not so hard for Turpin in the opening minutes. He has whistled a lot, but created a strong/determined impression like usual. Atmosphere starting to get nervous, these could be tougher minutes for the French team.

      Delete
    2. Watching live at bein sports, 15 min in, very passionate game, Turpin has it under control...
      18' YC NZL, tactical faul.

      Delete
    3. #22 YC PER unsporting behavior

      Delete
    4. 24' no handball call for PER.
      In my opinion good call, hand in upper position but no time to react.

      Delete
    5. Indeed, the first two YCs, both for SPA, both correct calls.
      Big appeal for a penalty by Peru for (you guessed it...) handball. A deflection before it hits the even tense arm of Reid though. Hard to see for Turpin by his not too bad position, I think Vassaras can back him. The French slightly missing acceptance on the pitch, at times.
      Big relief for referee team, 1-0 for Peru, match could be calm soon.

      Delete
    6. 28' goal for PER...
      It is possible that PER #8 used his hand to receive the ball in the middle of the field prior to a goal.

      Delete
    7. Good minutes for Turpin before HT, good prevention and savouring more acceptance, full control in Lima so far. Thanks Niko, it is nice to have one's opinion confirmed :-)

      Delete
    8. 41' PER player was in a possible slight offside after rebound.

      Delete
    9. Welcome Mikael... good first half... now game is warming up...

      Delete
    10. Thanks you too- agreed, Turpin finding a good line between empathy and authority, Lima is starting to get anxious...

      Delete
    11. No more! 2-0, should be fairly easy work for Turpin and team now.

      Delete
    12. Good tight offside call by AR2 a few minutes before the second goal.
      I like Turpin tonight, good siler line between lenient and aggressive approach. Works for him at the moment.

      Delete
    13. Turpin going very quickly reactive, running at players to prevent conflicts. He really understood what he was going into tonight and fully appreciated what he had to do, I can remember him struggling badly in matches like Feyernoord - Roma, but he is top tonight. I think he is 'over' UEFA pushing him too far and is now comfortable at his level, ready to make some further steps.
      Do think he can whistle a match in Russia- imo he will only function as VAR, he is just behind a few other names?

      Delete
    14. Well done- good performance!

      Delete
    15. Turpin was excellent tonight. Perfect balance between calls and letting the game develop. Totaly opposite impression than some other referees from this playoff games (we all know the names). I would like to see him at WC.

      Delete
  30. Nice to read that Turpin was overall very good in his game.
    Maybe a real chance for WC? We will see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Games after games in 2017, Turpin wins points ! And he is today in a better wave than hategan and karasev

      Delete
  31. 18' https://vimeo.com/243061224
    22' https://vimeo.com/243063287
    24' https://vimeo.com/243063836
    27' https://vimeo.com/243065211

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 19': Correct YC for reckless tackle (close to SFP)
      22': Correct YC for pulling the shirt, great advantage
      25': Correct decision, no deliberate handball.
      27': We can't be sure there, a closer replay would be helpful, in doubt one can back the referee, however it is possible that player controlled the ball thank to his arm. It stays as difficult situation to be read, without an evidence.

      Delete
    2. 27' There was no reaction from both benches, so it should be a good no call. Unfortunately there was no another replay from a different angle.

      Delete

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